Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between various dimensionsof perfectionism and key aspects of interpersonal functioning. Participants in Study 1were 371 adults. In studies 2 to 5 a more homogenous sub-sample of 165 adults 25 yearsand under was used. The measures of perfectionism were the Perfectionism CognitionsInventory (PCI, Hewitt, Flett, Blankstein & Gray, 1998), two measures both named theMultidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS-F and MPS-H; Frost, Marten, Lahart &Roseblate, 1990; Hewitt & Flett, 1991b), and the Positive and Negative PerfectionismScale (PANPS, Terry-Short, Owens, Slade & Dewey, 1995). These measures yielded 12different scales or dimensions that were classified into two domains, negative evaluationconcerns (NEC) and standards and achievement (SA) according to whether thedimension was characterised as primarily negative or more positive in nature.Study 1 established that almost all dimensions of perfectionism were positively related toanxiety and depression. To establish relationships of perfectionism to social functioningindependently of the influence of depression and anxiety, subsequent studies used highand low groups on each perfectionism dimension and analysis of covariance to adjust forany effects of anxiety and depression. The major finding of Study 2 was that most NECbut not SA dimensions were related to estimates of more frequent negative interpersonalinteractions. NEC groups showed increased levels of interpersonal rejection sensitivityto a greater extent than SA groups. Studies 3 to 5 examined attributions of the interpersonal behaviour of one-self and othersusing photographs of facial expressions (Study 3), vignettes describing friendly, neutraland unfriendly interactions (Study 4), and ratings of self-reported negative interpersonalinteractions based on a diary methodology (Study 5). Study 3 failed to find any evidencethat perfectionists categorised facial expressions more negatively or made attributions ofmore negative mood based on facial expression relative to non-perfectionists. In Study 4some high NEC but not SA groups made more negative attributions about the friendlyand neutral behaviour of others and attributed more negative emotional responses to theperson who was the object of the behaviour. In Study 5 two high NEC but no SA groupsengaged in increased avoidance behaviour and some high NEC groups and one SA groupdifferentially showed increased interpersonal distress. Individuals high in SA dimensionsdid not demonstrate more constructive approach behaviours. It was concluded that increased levels of interpersonal rejection sensitivity and more negative attributions about the friendly or neutral behaviour of others may mediateperceptions of increased negative interpersonal interactions for individuals high in someNEC dimensions. It was further concluded that increased interpersonal distress andsubsequent vulnerability to psychopathology may be determined in part by the extent towhich individuals are motivated by different perfectionistic concerns. Six distinctiveprofiles of results relating to interpersonal functioning and vulnerability to psychologicaldistress were identified corresponding to individual or groups of perfectionistic traits.These conclusions must be considered in the light of limitations of the sample which wasprimarily confined to younger adults.

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